Animal advocates back pit bull compromise bill

Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun

Advocates for animals packed an Annapolis hearing room Wednesday in support of a recently negotiated compromise bill that would undo a court ruling last year that declared pit bulls inherently dangerous and made its easier to sue their owners and their owners’ landlords.

Representatives of the Humane Society of the United State, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other groups told the House Judiciary Committee that the legislation, which would tighten liability standards for dog owners but not distinguish among breeds, strikes a fair balance between the interests of pet owners and dog bite victims. “Instead of singling out one breed, it imposes a high standard for all dog owners, said Tami Santelli, Maryland director of the Humane Society.

The House and Senate could not agree on a bill last year but leaders of the committees that handle liability issues announced an agreement early this month.